Broadmeadow trainer Kris Lees is looking to the autumn with Glowing Red after the half-sister of In Her Time knuckled down late to break through at her second start on Tuesday at Newcastle Racecourse.
Carrying the colours of two-time group 1-winning Newcastle sprinter In Her Time, the three-year-old filly raced midfield with cover under Brenton Avdulla before setting out after leader Jolie’s Choice at the top of the straight.
A $3.60 TAB chance after a second on debut at Gosford, Glowing Red gradually wore down Jolie’s Choice to hit the front close to the line and win by just over half a length in the 1200-metre maiden plate.
Glowing Red, passed in with a $200,000 reserve at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, is out of the same dam as In Her Time, Hell It’s Hot.
The now-retired In Her Time delivered Lees the most recent of his 15 group 1 wins when she claimed the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington in February 2019.
Lees told Sky Thoroughbred Central that Glowing Red was “a really nice filly” but “a work in progress”.
“She gets a bit hot in the enclosure but she’s getting there,” Lees said.
“I thought she was going to put them away a little easier than she did. She just floated a bit late, but once the penny drops I think we’ll have a really good filly in time.
“She’s come a fair way. Luke Cumberland does all the work on her and he’s done a really good job with her, so it was good to see her in the winner’s stall and we’ll probably give her a nice break and we’ll see her in the autumn.”
The win was part of a double for Lees and Avdulla on the six-race program.
Berruti ($4.60) hit the lead inside the final 150m of the 1350m benchmark 58 handicap then lifted late to hold out fast-finishing stablemate Misterzee for a quarter-length victory.
It was the well-bred Cressfield Stud four-year-old entire’s second win in five starts and first since his debut in September at Muswellbrook.
“He’s getting there the horse,” Lees said.
“He’s a bit of a work in progress, but in the right grade, he’s going OK.”
The most spectacular win on the program came from first-starter Marcher Sur L’eau for rookie Warwick Farm trainer Robert Quinn.
The three-year-old Press Statement gelding came from second last on the home turn in the 13-horse field to win the 1350m colts and geldings maiden by more than five lengths.
The stunning turn of foot gave Quinn a third victory from just 12 career starters. Sally Pops gave him back-to-back wins before Marcher Sur L’eau, a $20,000 buy, blitzed his rivals on Tuesday.
The Ron Quinton-trained Send Me Wild was also impressive in claiming the fillies and mares maiden (1350m) at her fifth start.
Popular Newcastle trainer Steve Hodge was also a winner at the meeting, taking out the first with Devil’s Choice.
With Newcastle apprentice Louise Day aboard, Devil’s Choice ran down Lees-trained favourite No Laughing Matter in the class 1 handicap (1200m).
Picture: Simone De Peak
Article: Craig Kerry